The best car insurance for law school students in Massachusetts

Law students have to get around somehow. If you drive your own car, you’ll need car insurance. If you don’t, non-owned auto insurance can protect you as you drive your friends’ cars, rentals and car shares like Zipcar. Whether you’re studying at Harvard Law like Elle Woods or doing the 3+3 program at UMass School of Law, there’s a college insurance policy that fits your needs. If your GPA is high enough, you could even score a good student discount.

Car insurance for college students: how to save money

We’ve interviewed hundreds of young adults about insurance. In our research, we discovered that college students and law students often don’t know everything they need to about insurance. Given the many types of college insurance, it’s no surprise. Most students who don’t own a car assume that if they borrow a car, the owner’s car insurance will cover them if they get into an accident. Not necessarily! If you cause a crash in a car whose owner is uninsured or underinsured, you could be held financially responsible for thousands of dollars in injuries and damage. Non-owned auto insurance covers you in that situation.

Whether you need standard car insurance or non-owned auto, how do you find an acceptable policy with the coverage you need?

Comparison shop

To find the best price for car insurance in MA, get quotes from three or more insurance companies. The easiest way to do this is through an independent broker like Surround Insurance.

Don’t skimp on liability limits to save cash

You’re going to be a lawyer - you know how a liability lawsuit can go bad, quickly, regardless of the facts. And in most states, you can be sued for your future earnings after a bad crash. Whatever you do, pay attention to your liability limits so you’re protecting yourself (and future you!)

Ways to make your policy more affordable

Raise your deductibles

In car insurance, the deductible is how much you pay for a claim out of pocket before your insurance starts to cover it. Say an accident causes $1,200 of damage to your car. If you have a $500 deductible, you’ll pay $500 for repairs and your insurer will pay $700. If you choose a higher deductible, you can get a lower premium. But, don’t forget that you’ll also have to pay more if you file a claim.

Remove collision and comprehensive insurance for older cars

The total payout from collision and comprehensive insurance for older cars is small. If your car is fully paid off and not worth very much, dropping collision and comprehensive insurance is a smart way to save.

Find car insurance discounts for students

Ask your insurer what discounts they offer. Many insurance companies offer a good student discount to full-time students under 25 with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. You could get a discount for taking a driver training course, using a safe driving app, or even being a member or alumnus of some Greek life organizations.

Factors that affect law student car insurance cost

You can lower your premiums somewhat by the policy you choose and the way you drive, but other factors are out of your hands.

Insurance price factors you control

Your driving record

Poor driving habits cause accidents, and accidents are expensive for insurance companies. By obeying traffic laws and always driving sober, you can maintain a good driving record and keep your premiums lower.

Your credit score

Better drivers tend to have better credit scores. So, insurance companies charge customers with higher credit scores less. If you have bad credit, working to improve it could net you a better premium in the future.

Your coverage types

Forty-eight U.S. states require all drivers to have liability insurance, but collision and comprehensive coverage are often optional unless you lease or finance your car. The types of coverage you select, as well as the deductibles and amount of coverage you choose, all affect your premium.

Insurance price factors you don’t control

Your age

Younger drivers haven’t had time to gain driving experience. Thus, insurance companies consider them riskier to insure. After you turn 25, insurers will offer you better rates. So, it depends a bit on when you started law school and what year you are! It pays to shop around for a better rate when you turn 25.

Your gender

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, men speed, drive while intoxicated and leave their seat belts unbuckled more often than women. As a result, insurance companies in some states charge men more for insurance. That’s illegal in Massachusetts, so your gender will not affect your rates.

Where you live and work

Insurance companies charge higher average premiums in areas with more accidents and crime. If you live or work in a city like Boston or Cambridge, your rates will be higher than those of your friends and colleagues in Dartmouth, MA.

Best car insurance in MA for young adults

According to WalletHub, the best options for car insurance in MA for college and law students are:

For non-owned auto insurance, your best options are:

Everyone has different needs, so the best insurance policy for you might be different from someone else’s. Comparison shopping is your friend when you need car insurance in MA. Surround Insurance is here to help you get quotes whenever you need them.